by Frank Lobsterman

Created on: January 31, 2007   Last Updated: March 29, 2007

A wise man once told me that there is no such thing as road rage. There is human rage, and there is driving. Road rage is what happens when an angry person is placed in a situation (traffic) where he can take his anger out on strangers (other motorists). It's best to just stay out of the way of people like that. Defensive driving is sometimes necessary, so when you spot a road rager, stay alert to his actions.

I saw something on television a few months ago, I've forgotten exactly where, about a trucker who has driven 2 million miles without an accident. In the interview, he said that the way he keeps his cool is to imagine that every vehicle contains his own family. This seems to be the best way to ensure that you don't cause an accident, as most of us would much rather risk our own lives than those of our families.

Another technique I use is the "I'm a better driver than you" method. When I see someone driving like a maniac, I focus on compensating for that driver's incompetence by paying closer attention to my own driving. Turn down the radio, maintain speed, avoid potholes, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and do it all in the smoothest way possible.

Either of these methods will likely work for most people. When you get in a car, you have to be ready to accept the dangers and challenges of the road. Using one or both of these methods, or one of your own that helps you to be a better driver will help make our roads safer, potentially saving lives.

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